I-Day Re-Testing

<p>I heard on I-Day they totally retest your medical status. Any little discrepency can disqualify you and nullify your appointment. Does anyone know to what extent they actually retest you on I-Day? Honestly, I have 20/20 vision, but at 6am on I-Day with all the pressure, I might have slightly different results. Should I really worry, or is it just a general run down to make sure you're healthy on I-Day. Thanks.</p>

<p>i seriously doubt testing at say, 20/25 is going to hurt you. they probably expect people to be a bit groggy in the early morning. i did, however, know a girl in the class of 2008 who was freaking out the month before i-day because her weight was about 20 lbs off her dodmerb exam weight. as far as i know, as long as you're still within the standard regulations, you'll be fine.</p>

<p>Everybody knows that they prepare and test at their maximum capabilities when they took both their PAE and their medical exam. On I-Day, the academy will get the results just on the spot, which are probably not as good. I thought that they'd be a little understanding. I'm sure they just want to make sure that you're healthy and are not looking to disqualify you.</p>

<p>FYI:
They do a thorough medical exam: Blood tests, etc. My son spent 3 hours waiting for X-rays to verify that a prior medical condition had healed and was no longer a disqualifying factor. This despite the fact that at least 3 sets of x-rays had been sent prior to his appointment. He sat with at least 3 others waiting to be cleared. And yes, if they find something that had been overlooked, they will do further evaluation.
CM</p>

<p>When my Dad went to USNA there was a lot of anexity around that exam as DoDmerb didn't exist as it does today. A number were turned down that day. My Dad had to return for a recheck prior to admission because his pulse was too fast. (Can't imagine why!) He did get through it because a nice MD talked to him for 10 minutes while checking his pulse and talking about other things. Someone I know at work had a friend turned down on I Day due to eyes.</p>

<p>It's a scary time after working so hard to get somewhere for several years. There's also a balence between training for Plebe Summer and having an injury. Someone on a past thread said he injured his hamstring from over use in preparation for I Day and it caused him problems all summer long.</p>

<p>I think it's why so many advise a back-up plan with the hope that you will not need it. Best of Luck! We're still doing the 50 yard dash to the mailbox...hope to hear soon so my son can think through all of his options! JM</p>

<p>My son failed his initial DoDMERB color vision test. He took the definitive test, the Farnsworth Lantern test (or FALANT) and passed, but it wasn't a "slam-dunk" performance. Naturally we have a little bit of anxiety about the re-testing on I-Day. Worst case scenario, if he fails the color vision slides and then the FALANT on I-Day, what happens? Does he:
A) Get sent home
B) Get offered a chance to remain and pursue a commission as a restricted line officer
C) Get an opportunity to pursue a commission as a Marine ground officer
D) something else?</p>

<p>Ask your BGO to inquire on the QT.<br>
I would unfortunately suspect if he failed a retest, that he would get choice "A".<br>
I will ask my son if he had a color vision retest on I-day.
CM</p>

<p>Checked with my son. He says your son will be headed to optometry to be rechecked on I-day. (Does he have an appointment?? Or are you just pre-worrying??) If he fails he will be sent home. I don't want to give you increased anxiety, but emphasize not to burn bridges before the swearing in. </p>

<p>I kid you not, I saw my son walking away from Alumni Hall (still in civilian clothes, no haircut) between two uniformed midshipmen or officers, and thought he was doomed; I was sure all day my cell phone would ring and he would be on the line telling me to come get him. I did not relax for the rest of the day until he met us (in uniform) after the swearing-in. They processed 1235 plebes that day, and he was #1221 (or something similar), after being scrutinized for hours.</p>

<p>Good Luck.
CM</p>

<p>Thanks for the info, CM. Yes my son does have an appointment, and I'm probably worrying about an outcome that will never occur. Best to be prepared, though.</p>

<p>I will think of your son on I-day and hope that all goes well.
CM</p>

<p>Could you explain a bit?</p>

<p>When you say your son has an appointment . . . Does that mean in his appointment letter he has been notified . . . </p>

<p>Never mind . . . When I read your post, I thought you meant he had an "appointment" already w/ optometry. Upon re-read, I think you mean he has an "appointment" to the Academy.</p>

<p>Proof again that true understanding of what somebody means is difficult to discern from mere written words.
Good luck to you and your son.</p>

<p>It is so scary that darn medical disqualification possibility. I know my daugher's friends have all gone skiing this year while at NAPS, and I am adament about "not letting" her go. (at least suggesting strongly). There is always one every year who suffers a bad break. I am happy that the NAPS kids have I-Day a day earlier. If found unqualified, at least there will be less people there and it will probably take less time. That equals less time for my stomach to do flips. :)
NAPS05mom</p>

<p>How many people can they actually turn away? Out of 1200 people, if only the absolute medically perfect (early in the morning on I-Day) were admitted...then the class size would be cut down drastically in one swift move. Somehow, the vast majority of the class manages to enter the academy every year, so I'm sure they don't just turn people away unless there is a really serious problem (ex. something that was overlooked).</p>

<p>Bill0510, sorry for the confusion. Let me clarify...</p>

<p>My son has received an appointment to the USNA, he has accepted, and he and our family will be there on I-Day. </p>

<p>I know that on I-Day, all inductees are re-tested for colorblindness. Colorblind individuals are prohibited from serving as Unrestricted Line Officers, which is what the Academy is there to produce. I guess it's pretty important to distinguish red from green when your are on the bridge of a ship or in a cockpit!
I also know that a limited number of mids can be commissioned as Restricted Line Officers; these folks serve in a variety of special roles, cryptology, public affairs, medical corps, etc. My understanding is that Marine ground officers are allowed to have a "color vision deficit." Anyway, since this was the only aspect of my son's DoDMERB physical that was of concern, I am trying to find out if someone has personal experience with this issue. What is the Academy's position if someone fails both the color slide test and then the FALANT on I-Day? Are the Restricted Line Officer slots typically reserved for mids that are later found to be medically ineligible for Unrestricted Line Officer duties? (E.g. a youngster that has a sports injury)</p>

<p>I'm sure others have personal experience with this, statistically speaking 8% of Caucasian males have the red-green colorblind genetic trait. </p>

<p>I'm probably worried for no good reason, my son passed the FALANT before and hopefully will again. Thanks to all for the input and kind wishes.</p>

<p>I have the same problem and I have found that if you DO NOT have a waiver on I day and you fail the test then you are shown the door. However, if you have a waiver it is fine because you have already been restricted to the restricted line/marine ground slots. There are not many waivers.</p>

<p>Amdandrew . . . distinguish, please, a vision waiver from a different [?] kind of waiver, e.g. a color-vision waiver?</p>

<p>That is, when you speak of having a waiver, some people have what is generally thought of as a vision waiver due to eye sight that is less than 20/20. I would guess that appointees are re-tested [issued glasses as needed] and, failing a significant decline in eye acuity, there is no problem.</p>

<p>Do others have a color-vision waiver? Again, assuming no drastic change from pre-detected problems, there would be no induction issue.</p>

<p>There would be two potential problem areas for appointees: [1] Those that have a drastic [whatever that means] change in acuity or color-vision perception sufficient to cause them to be outside the parameters of their previously received waiver; or, [2] those that show up w/out any waiver and suddenly exhibit some visual deficiency that would otherwise require a waiver.</p>

<p>I</p>

<p>Vision waiver is for glasses, etc. Color vision is if you cannot pass the FALANT, a color vision test.</p>

<p>amdandrew-
You mentioned that you "have the same problem" as my son. I take that to mean that you don't have a color vision waiver and that induction is dependent upon passing the FALANT on I-Day. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, he/we can commiserate with you!
Or, on the other hand, do you already have a rare color-vision waiver?</p>

<p>Be careful. Even those with waivers have been "shown the door" if their condition is more serious than indicated in the supporting documents submitted when requesting the waiver. The Academy wants to double check and make the determination itself. It is very expensive to admit, train, educate, and then later separate Mids who do not pass their physical at the end of their youngster year.<br>
CM</p>